Controlling mechanism for clock-movements.



L. meson. I CONTRQLLING MECHANISM FOR CLOCK MOVEMENTS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 7, I910.

Patented Apr. 24,1917.

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ASSIGNOE- 'ZIO KELLCGG': SW'ITCHBUARD A CORPQRATION 0F ELLEN 01S.

CONTROLLING MECHANISM FUR CLCCK-MGVEMENTS.

mm Specification of letters Patent.

Patented Apt, 241, rear.

Application filed July 7, 1910. Seria1ftto.570,730.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LAWRENCE ERICSON, a citizen of the United States of America, residing in Chicago, county of. Cook, and State oflllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Controlling Mechanism for Clock-Movements, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to controlling mech= anism for clock movements, the said invention being adapted to start a clock movement in its operation and to again stop the movement thereof.

My invention is adapted for controlling the starting and stopping of clock mechanism, whereby such mechanism will run for a definite period, by apparatus cooperating directly with the balance wheel shaft, being more particularly directed to such starting apparatus which is electrically controllable at some point distant from the clock mechanism.

As is Well known, the balance wheel of a clock movement is delicately adjusted and the hair spring cooperating therewith is also very delicate. Consequently, any mechanism cooperating directly with such a balance wheel must not place any undue strain upon its shaft or bearings.

To this end I have worked out my start ing mechanism, to operate directly upon a member carried upon the balance wheel shaft, without causing any undue strain upon such shaft, and which is simple, and positive in its operation.

In the mechanism of my invention 1' preferably employ an electromagnet having a starting pawl pivoted to the armature thereof, the said armature engaging a ratchet wheel or stop movable with the balance wheel. When the armature of the said electromagnet is attracted, the pawl is moved to rotate or start the balance wheel and thereafter disengages itself from the said ratchet wheel. The said balance wheel is thereby started and continues to reciprocate until the stop or ratchet wheel is again engaged by the pawl, when the movement of the clock mechanism is stopped.

I have not shown a complete clock mechanism, but it is believed enough is shown to indicate the operation of the controlling device. While I have shown a particular clock mechanism, it is to be understood that my controlling mechanism will operate equally well in connection with any movement having a reciprocating balance wheel.

Referring to the accompanying drawing in which like reference characters indicate like parts, Figure 1 is a side elevation, showing the controlling mechanism of my invention operating in connection with a clock movement.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the structure shown in Fig. 1

ig. 3 is a perspective view of the electromagnet and the controlling pawl operating in connection therewith, and

Fig. 4 is a view of part of the electromagnet with the armature attracted and showing the ptsvl disengaged from the ratchet wheel or stop.

The electromagnet l is shown secured to the pole piece 2 by means of the screw 3, the said pole piece having the extending bracket 4.- integral therewith. The armature 5 is pivoted by means of the pin 6 to the bracket 7, the said bracket being secr ed to the under side of the pole piece 2 by means of the screws 8. Suflicient mechanism of the clock movement has been shown to indicate the operation of the controlling mechanism.

The clock movement shown comprises the main gear 9 driven by the spring 10 with the usual winding mechanism 11, the gear 9 being in mesh with the pinion 12. The said pinion 12, the gear-13 and slotted cam 14 are all securely fastened to the shaft 15. Also adjustably fastened to the shaft 15 is the contact arm 16 which is adapted to make contact with the contact spring 17. The pallet wheel 18 is secured to the shaft 19 and is adapted to be rotated by the gear 13 which is in mesh with the small pinion 20, the said pinion 20 being securely fastened to the shaft 19. The pallet 21 is adapted to engage the teeth of the pallet wheel 18 when the said pallet 21 is vibrated, due to the reciprocating motion of the balance wheel 22.

Cperating in connection with the said balance wheel. 22 is the usual hair-spring 23. Secured to the same shaft with the balance wheel is the ratchet wheel or stop 24, the said ratchet wheel being adapted to partake of the same movement as the balance wheel. The arm 25 is riveted to the armature 5, the said arm having a catch 26 normally resting in the slot of the cam 14? as shown in Eig. 1. The starting pawl 27 is loosely pivoted to enei' izing circuit for magnet 1 is pro vided, PZQY rzibly comprising :1 simple mannelly operated hey n buttery ii and conductors connecting me key and battery vviih the winding of me net 1. hile i have illustrated the controlling circuu -or magnet 1 as :1 simple manually controlled circuit, is apparent that such circui; mny be closed in on either desired manner.

To opera-"e tis con-trolling mechanism, the

electromzignet l is energized, attracting the armature 5. The said armature 5 now moves toward the core 31, the pawl 52? thereby rototing the balance wheel 22 coward the le; The pawl 27 continues to move Eowurd left with the armature 5 and continues engagement with the ratchet wheel 24 until the adjusting screw comes into contact with the armature 5. The armosure 5 continues its movement, the catch is moved out of engagement ith u tooth of the ratchet wheel and assumes the position shown in Fig. l, lhe. arm also being moved out of engagement wiih the cum 1% as shown in Fig. 1-.

The balance wheel 22 having been started by the movement of the arm 2?, and the end 26 oi arm having moved out or engage menl. with the com 14: the balance wheel reciprocates and the clock mechanism runs, receiving power from ihe spring 10.

The magnet 1 having only received o momentary energizotion, releases its armature 5 allowing the end 26 to rest upon the periphery of cum ll and holding the catch of pawl 27 free of ratchet wheel 2%.

The mechanism now continues running, the arm 16 in its travel making and breaking conczict with the contact spring in. When the Cam 1% has made one revolution, the end :26 of the arm drops into the slot of the said cum 1% allowing the armature 5 to retract to its normed position. Due "co the full retraction of the armature 5, the pawl 27 rides over the teeth of the ra'schei and engages one of the said teeth, preventing 21 further operation of the balance wheel and its associated mechanism until the armature 5 is again attracted.

By the use of the pivoted pawl 2'? and sting means, a. very line adjustment of is said pawl is secured. this manner is possible iio edjusc the pe after ihe armature 3 ii i j drawn back in its start move and the pawl 27 is he co give the escupemeni'; moch" moveinenh end the-iii subsequent 12 5 are liited respective m the coinclocl: move 3: wheel nor stop movable clechroinugnet itrollcd by said :cing and disiechunism of saidv ivornlly secured orig, 3; said serrated stop posi ively move r. c balance wheel when the urn ulurc is :u'iruc'led, said pawl 1 d nien'ibei' bein arrang d thui the moeffectively connected to said clock movement before nid pawl shirts the move-- L- of said hail-[nice wheel, and adjusting means whereby the pcrior of engagement d said stop after said to move in its attracrest 2 sold balance and ern'iature e n e ure for G'i'lBC .ely c4 connecting the motor and clock moven it, 1 psi" so said arnniturc ior in u conlroil mechanism, the comrinzrtion with o cor driven clock train provided wiih a linilnnce wheel normally at resr. of u scrrued disk movable with said hiilunce wheel, on olectr-omegnct and armsture, lever controlled by said armature for ellcctivelv conneci i and disconnecting mechanism of said clock train and the molor, a pawl pivol-olly secured to said armoture for engnrgemcnt with said serrated disk whereby when said zirimiture is moved said pawl moves said balance wheel after said le ver has *i'l'cctively caused the motor mechanism to be connected lo said balance wheel, adjustable cooperating means between said pawl and armature to cause said pawl to disengage from said disk and whereby the period of engagement between said pawl and disk after said arnuituro has started to move may be varied.

fr controlling device oi the class described includino; :1 motor driven. clock n'iovcment provided witi a. balance Wheel, re motor normally tending to operate said ciocl: nio-Jenieiii, on electromagnet provided carrying on operating ihe said urniziuuio is :itti'ri A l to insure the positive operation of the balance wheel and clock movement by the motor.

4. A device of the character described including a motor driven clock train havin a balance wheel, a ratchet wheel movable wlth' said balance wheel, a magnet and armature associated with said clock train, a restraining member carried by said armature to prevent the motor from normally operating said balance wheel, and a lever also carried by said armature for engaging said ratchet wheel to positively move the balance wheel, said restraining member and said lever opcrating in such a manner that when the armature of the magnet is attracted, the re straining member permits the motor mechanism to be-etfectively connected to the balance wheel before the lever positively operates the said balance wheel.

Si ned by me at Chica and tate of Illinois, in t e presence of two witnesses.

LAWRENCE ERICSON. Witnesses:

MARJORIE E. GRIER,

GEORGE E. MUELLER.

0, county of Cook, 20 

